The Owls cross country teams split their squads on Saturday, with student athletes competing locally at the Western New England Invitational, and also at the Conn College Invitational at Harkness Park in Waterford, Conn., a meet that featured a number of regionally and nationally prominent runners and teams.
Women at WNE
Rebecca Patel topped the Owls efforts at the WNE invitational, as she placed 13th individually in a time of 25:30 on the 6k course, helping Westfield to a fourth place finish in the team scoring.
Erin Vasu was second among Owl runners in 27th place with a time of 26:36.
Nine complete teams and 81 runners contested the meet, which was won by Williams' Grace Kerchner in 22:51. The Ephs took the team title as well.
Women at Conn College
The women finished 25th in the "blue" race at the Conn College invitational. 26 teams and 208 runners, including many of the top teams in the northeast, as well as teams from Minnesota and Iowa that traveled in for the meet.
Shea Hamel was the top Owl in 90th with a time of 23:26 on the 6k course at Harkness State Park in Waterford, Conn. Molly Kennedy was next in in 156th with a time of 24:39
NYU won the team race, with St. Benedict's (MN) Fiona Smith winning the individual race in 19:51. Smith was second overall at the NCAA championships a year ago.
Men at Conn College
Nathan Sylven was first to finish for Westfield, traversing the 8,000 meter course at Harkness State park in a time of 26:11 to place 96th. John Nekitopoulos was next in in a time of 26:41 in 128th.
The Owls placed 23rd in the team scoring among 26 teams with a 209 runner field. St. Olaf (MN) won the team title, while Central (IA) runer Caleb Silver was the individual champ in 24:13. Silver finished top 25 at the 2022 National Championship race.
Men at WNE
Nick Hanley finished 25th overall to top the Owls efforts on the 8k course at Western New England. He posted a time of 28:42. Dan Botte was 30th in 29:04.
Westfield finished sixth among the 11 complete teams. 107 runners finished.
Williams College runners claimed six of the top seven spots to win the team title, including individual champ Jacob Lehman Duke in 25:16.